[PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?

From: "Baumstark Michael-EMB043" <M.Baumstark@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 13:25:41 -0400
Still another idea.
 
Have you ever considered using the 315,000 plus, function key solution?
Granted there are a few select commands that work great off of a single
function key execution. However, I simply find them hard to remember if
I start using too many of them.
 
So what I have done is set up over 200 functions, that I can remember
with an intuitive alpha-numeric sequence. For me, it works great and I
will never go back the the CTRL, Shift, Alt Function key solution;
although I still use a select few. 
 
I have a mixed use model of macros that I have recorded along with a
preferred set of commands. These  are assigned in a similar way as you
would do an alias command.
 
However, I use the "funckey"  assignment to accomplish this. Here is a
small sample of functions that I have macros assigned to.
 
#

funckey pkoo replay package_keepout_on.scr

funckey pkox replay package_keepout_off.scr

funckey pkoto replay package_keepout_top_on.scr

funckey pkotx replay package_keepout_top_off.scr

funckey pkobo replay package_keepout_bottom_on.scr

funckey pkobx replay package_keepout_bottom_off.scr

#

funckey vkoo replay via_keepout_on.scr

funckey vkox replay via_keepout_off.scr

The nice thing about using multi character funckeys is that (they are
very intuitive to me - ones I can remember for a long time even with
intermittent repeated usage) I simply type the character seqence and the
command executes immeditely.  The way I used to do it for multiple
alpha-mumeric keys was by aliasing them. But I would have to type the
multi characters in the command console followed by a Enter command. 

Obviously with this methodology, the usage of simply one or two
alpha-numeric function keys is very limiting to what you can do with
them, and they may not be very intuitive. So I have simply eliminated
from my vocabulary, single alpha-numeric functions (with a few
exceptions, like my layer views).  Again I also have a very limited
assignment of two character functions. Most of my functions are in the
3-4 character sequence, with a few that go to 5 characters. (The Cadence
doumentation I believe said that you could only go up to 4 characters
but that but be an obsolete specification I am remembering because, I am
using a few 5 character functions. 

 

Since we are on the subject matter and the main reason I am here on the
forum today.  Can anyone tell me how they can get the arrow keys to  to
advance only a single grid tick at a time, say while moving a component,
etc. I am just getting back into the Allegro toll flow after a long time
out of production mode and I do not remember that one. The present
behavior of the arrow key seems to advance me  by some larger amount (I
am thinking of some type of roaming command). But maybe someone can just
give me the solution without having to hunt for it.   Thanks.   

P.S. - enjoy the function tip if you have never used it that way before.
Just in case you need to de-assign an alpha character

 

unalias funckey b

unalias funckey d


 

________________________________

From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of richard moffat
Sent: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 5:38 PM
To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?


 
Just another idea:
 
I have eight dedicated keys to select the active layer you want and
start the route function.  My non-mouse hand hovers over these eight
keys when routing.  
 
You can get really fast at laying copper by doing this, as you don't
mess around with the 'Act' or 'Alt' buttons on the RHS of the Allegro
screen or the '+' and '-'  keys on the normal keyboard.  Even on a 2 or
4 layer board I find it's good.
 
It needs a couple of scripts to set it up to do this, as different
boards have different layer counts.  Let me know if you're interested in
trying it.
 
Cheers,
Richard


>>> gary.macindoe@xxxxxxx 27/04/2006 2:41 a.m. >>>


Hey Paul,

 

I was thinking of getting the 20 key, but then decided on the 58 key.
I've got the desk space and the extra keys can't hurt!

Man, you guys from NZ seem to be ahead of the curve!  Thanks.

 

Regards,

 

Gary E. MacIndoe

PCB Design Engineer

Advanced Micro Devices

Longmont, Colorado

 

________________________________

From: icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:icu-pcb-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Paul Gilmore
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 5:44 PM
To: icu-pcb-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?

 

I am using the 20 key version, and haven't assigned a function to every
key yet.
By assigning one key as CTRL and another as SHIFT each key can preform
three functions
(four counting the CTRL SHIFT combination) then double that if you set
up the second x-key 
layer the same way. The rest of the x-keys are assigned F2-F12, Insert,
Home etc.

Then a few lines from my Allegro Env,
alias F11 iangle 90
alias CF11 spin
alias SF11 shape void circle

and since we also use concept, in the "concepthdl_key.txt" file
F11 _EDIT_ROTATE;
CTRL+F11 _EDIT_SPIN;


-- 

Paul G.


Senior PCB Designer
Tait Electronics Ltd
535 Wairakei Road
Christchurch
New Zealand


Gary MacIndoe wrote: 

Hey again,

 

So here's another one.  Anybody use the Pi Engineering X-Keys 20 key
programmable supplemental keyboard?  Is it easy to program, works well?

Thanks for any input.

 

Gary E. MacIndoe

PCB Design Engineer

Advanced Micro Devices

Longmont, Colorado

 

 

 

 

________________________________


This email, including any attachments, is only for the intended
addressee. It is subject to copyright, confidential and may be the
subject of legal or other privilege, none of which is waived or lost by
reason of this transmission. If the receiver is not the intended
addressee, please accept our apologies, notify us by return, delete all
copies and perform no other act on the email. Unfortunately, we cannot
warrant that the email has not been altered or corrupted during
transmission. 

________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------- To
subscribe/unsubscribe: Send a message to
icu-pcb-forum-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with a subject of subscribe or
unsubscribe To view the archives of this list go to
//www.freelists.org/archives/icu-pcb-forum/ Problems or Questions:
Send an email to icu-pcb-forum-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
-----------------------------------------------------------

NOTICE: This message contains privileged and confidential
information intended only for the use of the addressee
named above. If you are not the intended recipient of
this message you are hereby notified that you must not
disseminate, copy or take any action in reliance on it.
If you have received this message in error please
notify Allied Telesyn Research Ltd immediately.
Any views expressed in this message are those of the
individual sender, except where the sender has the
authority to issue and specifically states them to
be the views of Allied Telesyn Research.
Follow-Ups:
- [PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?
  - From: Dave Seymour
[PCB_FORUM] Re: X-Keys 20 key, any good?

Other related posts:
